Written by Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee and Shane Morris, based on the children's story by Hans Christian Andersen.

Directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee.

GRADE:

REVIEW:

Disney Animation Studios continues its rebirth into the digital age with the release of yet another classic. Frozen is a (very loose) adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's Snow Queen tale – as told through Disney's computerized animation.

Kristen Bell voices Princess Ana, the younger sister to Elsa (Idina Menzel). The orphaned princesses live in the Norwegian-inspired kingdom of Arendelle, where Elsa is about to be crowned queen. But Elsa hides a dark secret power: an ability to turn anything into ice, which she has trouble controlling. On coronation day, all the dignitaries from surrounding kingdoms arrive, and Ana immediately falls in love with Hans (Santino Fontana), a handsome prince. When Elsa won't give her blessing for an immediate wedding for Hans and Ana, her powers are revealed to the kingdom, as she turns everything to ice and escapes to the top of a snowy mountain.

Determined to rescue her sister, Ana takes off after her, only to get lost and nearly frozen to death until she meets Kristoff (Jonathan Groff), an ice dealer with a reindeer named Sven for a companion. Kristoff agrees to help, and they embark on a journey to the mountain, but not before taking along a wise-cracking snowman named Olaf (Josh Gad).

As Ana, Kristoff and Olaf arrive at the ice castle built by Elsa, a group of soldiers summoned by Hans approach. Filled with fear and rage, Elsa accidentally pierces Ana's heart with ice, which will lead to her death unless an act of love can save her. In the fray, Elsa is captured and brought back to Arendelle, where Hans' true nature is exposed. As Ana is about to die, Kristoff rushes to save her – but will Ana sacrifice her life to save someone else?

Frozen is destined to become another Disney animated classic, complete with loveable characters, funny dialogue, great music and amazing beauty. One thing I liked most about the film was the clever way Director/Writer team Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee threw out conventional Disney “princess” cliches and went for something a little less romantic. Some of the departure from convention might distract Disney purists, but I thought it was about time a princess was saved for more than just a handsome fellow.

The visual beauty of Frozen is on par with the best of anything else from Disney, Pixar or other computerized features. It's also one of the best animated films of the year with a tale that will melt your heart.